On September 25, 2020, both the Council of States and the National Council in Switzerland adopted the new CO2 Act in the final vote. The CO2 Act aims to reduce the corresponding emissions and put them on a climate-friendly path. To this end, the law provides for a series of incentive taxes that will make air travel and petrol consumption more expensive.
A referendum was held against the law, supported by interest groups and associations such as ACS, Avenergy Suisse, Swissoil, Auto Schweiz, ASTAG, VFAS and AGVS.
According to the proponents of the referendum, the new law brings nothing and costs a lot. It will lead to more bureaucracy, more bans, more regulations and new taxes and duties.
According to the referendum committee, the effects on fuel costs, which also affect classic car drivers, are disturbing: "The new CO2 law will make petrol and diesel 12 centimes more expensive per liter. The tax on heating oil and gas will be more than doubled."
According to a broad-based economic committee made up of associations from a wide range of sectors, Switzerland has an exemplary climate policy even without the CO2 Act.
You can find out more on the website created for the referendum. Signature forms for collecting signatures can also be downloaded there.
But beware, the referendum deadline only runs until January 14, 2021 and the forms must be verified by the municipalities beforehand. The lists should therefore reach the referendum committee by December 20 if possible.